Michigan Humane’s animal cards are about more than adoptions
By Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
Keysan, a Detroit teenager, dreams of building his own shelter someday to help “all the homeless animals suffering in the world.”
The 14-year-old has been homeless himself. For the past six months he and his mother have lived at Peterboro, a supportive housing facility run by the Coalition on Temporary Shelter, in Detroit.
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Beyond the financial help, Pictures of Hope also benefits the animals and the children. For the animals, having a couple of hours of the children’s attention reduces their stress of staying at the shelter. For the kids, who are ages 7-14, getting a field trip to play with animals and learn photography is both fun and self-esteem building.
“It is giving these children the opportunity to know they can make a difference,” Solomon said. “When you tell them, ‘You’re helping find a home for these pets,’ imagine how it makes them feel. They feel important and they feel that they’re respected. When you end up in a shelter, you don’t think anybody cares. This shows that you’re making a difference.”
… “I treat them as journalists,” Solomon said. “They’re on an assignment, and the assignment is to change a life. It’s about making it fun, but having them realize their dreams matter and now they’re changing the dreams of a pet.”
David Rodriguez Muñoz, Detroit Free Press
